The Official Blog of Minnesota PGA

Golf Etiquette: Doing Business on the Golf Course

Golf Etiquette To Know Before Playing

If you’re new to the game of golf, or starting to play the game again, you might be a little worried about knowing all of the rules and etiquette about golf. And if you play a lot of golf in Minnesota, it’s not a bad idea to refresh your memory on some of the game’s etiquette, too!

These are some of the top rules to remember when you’re playing golf.

Don’t disturb the player – and stay safe. Please don’t move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or hole when a player is getting ready or making a stroke. Also – don’t play until the players in front of you are out of range. Use common sense and if you aren’t sure if someone is out of range – wait.

Who goes first? The player who has what’s called the honor tees off first. You receive the “honor” when you beat all the members in your group on the previous hole. When you’re starting your round of golf you can flip a tee to determine who goes first or use a Starter Coin to flip for who tees off first.

Rake the bunker. Bunker shots are never fun – and you may want to move on as quickly as possible once you get out of one. But, you should carefully fill up all the holes you’ve left behind. You don’t want to impact someone’s play who’s following you. You don’t want to leave big impressions or footprints you’ve made – and then have someone’s shot land in it!

Take care of the green. Any turf you cut or displace needs to be replaced and pressed down. After all the players have holed out, make sure any damage to the putting green is repaired as well. If your ball makes a depression in the green, scoop it out with a golf tee, then press the turf back to a level plane. Again, this piece of golf etiquette is about making sure all the playing surfaces are as consistent and fair as possible for all players.

Watch your speed.Speed of play is a big topic of conversation in golf right now. But, a good rule of thumb is to leave the putting green as soon as the result of a hole is determined. Try not to linger and delay groups behind you. If you lose a ball and the next group of golfers comes up while you’re looking for it – wave them by you. The goal is not to rush your shots – but just be ready to go with it’s your turn and keep moving on the course to avoid slow play.

Another way to play at a good pace is to “Tee it Forward.” This program from the Minnesota PGA is designed to make golf more fun and play from a set of tees best suited to their abilities. If you’re not a championship golfer, hitting from the far champion tee isn’t always going to be very fun. Click here to learn more about the different distances and start to Tee it Forward when you’re playing golf!

How to Use Golf for Business

Knowing the rules of golf can also help you use the game for business. Golf is a great way to network, get to know coworkers and even get some quality time with clients.

Think about it – spending a few hours with someone without the distractions of phone calls or emails is priceless. Playing golf with customers, prospects and clients gives you one-on-one time to learn more about each other and each other’s business.

Playing in golf events is another way to get involved in the game and network at the same time. Golf is one of the most popular ways that charities, and Chambers of Commerce raise money. Taking part in golf events is a way to be involved in your community and increase your own recognition where you work and live.